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LEPEN (political party)

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Popular Greek Patriotic Union
Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση
AbbreviationLEPEN
LeaderChristos Rigas[1]
Founded2015
Split fromGolden Dawn
HeadquartersHygeias street, Athens[2]
IdeologyFalangism
Greek nationalism
Social conservatism
National conservatism
Anti-Turkish sentiment
Anti-immigration
Hard Euroscepticism
Right-wing populism
Identitarianism
Political positionFar-right[3][4]
ReligionGreek Orthodox Church
National affiliationNational Party – Greeks[5]
European affiliationAlliance for Peace and Freedom
Colours  Blue
  Red
Hellenic Parliament
0 / 300
European Parliament
0 / 21
Website
ellinikipatriotikienosi.blogspot.com

The Popular Greek Patriotic Union (Greek: Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση, romanized: Laiki Elliniki Patriotiki Enosi), known more commonly by its acronym, LEPEN (Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ.), is a nationalist[6] and far-right political party in Greece.

History

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Founded in 2015 by political activist Christos Rigas, it served as a nationalist party that aimed to replicate the success of Golden Dawn. Christos was formerly a member of Golden Dawn however left after conflicts with the direction and public perception of the party. LEPEN seeks to become a moderate replacement for the Golden Dawn, it claims to have no connections with Neo-Nazism and Neo-fascism, party leadership rejects both ideologies.[7]

The party has promoted itself as a party for "pure nationalists",[8] targeting right-wing nationalists as its main voting base. Reportedly, it receives support from members of the former National Political Union, an anti-communist party led by dictator, Georgios Papadopoulos. LEPEN also receives support from members of the right-wing populist, Popular Orthodox Rally, and even its rival Golden Dawn.[8]

The party is commonly referred to by the acronym, LEPEN, party leadership confirmed that this acronym is also a reference to French politician, Jean-Marie Le Pen who they describe as a "great French nationalist - and philhellene - leader",[8] but also to his daughter Marine Le Pen.[2]

In January 2018, the concession to the National Front was announced.[9]

In December 2020, the formation of a coalition was announced by ELASYN, The Popular Hellenic Patriotic Union (LEPEN), the "Spartans" party, the United Front of Greek Ideology of Compatriots (EMEIS) and the Front Line, with the prospect of a joint electoral descent with the name K.Y.M.A of Hellenism.[10] In February 2021, the coalition announced the collaboration of the formation with the retired captain and chief of the Popular Citizens Movement (LAKIP) Andreas Petropoulos. In November 2021, ELASYN announced its departure from the K.Y.M.A of Hellenism.[11]

In August 2022 Rigas announced his party cooperation with the National Party – Greeks and its candidacy in Etoloakarnania for the 2023 elections.[12]

Ideology

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The party claims to be based around the traditions and beliefs of the Orthodox church.[1] The party's manifesto asserts that the main objectives are to preserve and promote Greek culture and to "convey the continually unchanging ideas and values of Hellenism and to transform them into the new generations, through the continuation of the ancient Greek civilization adapted to the needs of today, the dissemination of its high cultural destination, the proclamation and promotion of the principles of equality, equality and meritocracy".[1]

The party supports the political beliefs espoused by Spanish falangist, José Antonio Primo de Rivera.[13]

International connections

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In 2018, LEPEN became a member of the Alliance for Peace and Freedom, a far-right European political party that also includes: New Force, NATION, National Democratic Party of Germany, People's Party - Our Slovakia, Noua Dreaptă, National Democracy, Workers' Party of Social Justice and the United Romania Party.[14]

The party claims to have contacts with the French National Rally and Austrian Freedom Party.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ΛΑ'Ι'ΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ". Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b Melpomene Maragkidou (24 August 2016). "Aυτή Είναι η ΛΕΠΕΝ που Θέλει να Πάρει τη Θέση της Χρυσής Αυγής" [It is the LEPEN that wants to take the place of the Golden Dawn] (in Greek). vice.com. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Are Poland's football ultras really supporting the Women's Strike? | openDemocracy". Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Greece's neo-Nazis lost, but the far-right party that won has a dark anti-Semitic past". Haaretz.
  5. ^ Manos (6 December 2022). "Μήνυμα νίκης από το Αγρίνιο". Εθνικό Μέτωπο.
  6. ^ "Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση: Οι Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ της Ελλάδος (Ή η Χρυσή Αυγή αλλιώς)". Tvxs.gr. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  7. ^ a b Μαραγκίδου, Μελπομένη (24 August 2016). "Aυτή Είναι η ΛΕΠΕΝ που Θέλει να Πάρει τη Θέση της Χρυσής Αυγής".
  8. ^ a b c "Λαϊκή Ελληνική Πατριωτική Ένωση: Οι Λ.Ε.Π.ΕΝ της Ελλάδος (Ή η Χρυσή Αυγή αλλιώς)". 2016.
  9. ^ "ΑΡΧΙΚΗ". 17 June 2023.
  10. ^ MM (21 December 2020). ΙΣΧΥΣ ΕΝ ΤΗ ΕΝΩΣΕΙ. ΕΛΑΣΥΝ (in Greek). Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  11. ^ Δελτίο Τύπου Ε.ΛΑ.ΣΥΝ elasyn.com 1 November 2021 (in Greek) Archived 2023-04-04 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Ο Χρήστος Ρήγας υποψήφιος στην Αιτωλοακαρνανία. με το Εθνικό Κόμμα Έλληνες". August 2022.
  13. ^ "ΛΑ'Ι'ΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ: Χοσέ Αντόνιο Πρίμο ντε Ριβέρα - Ιδρυτής της ισπανικής "Φάλαγγας"". ellinikipatriotikienosi.blogspot.com. November 2018.
  14. ^ Xr;gs. "ΛΑ'Ι'ΚΗ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΕΝΩΣΗ: The Popular Hellenic Patriotic Union (LEPEN) is a member of the European Political Party, Alliance for Peace and Freedom (APF)".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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